The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: HSquares2003 on November 16, 2003, 05:44:32 PM
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Since when did they start having the home viewer on the telephone while the contestant and celebrity played the super six for them? Friday's show took me by suprise when the contestant was on the phone with Osmond.
I guess you would have to be home for this to work, kind of like the lifeline on Millionaire.
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Since when did they start having the home viewer on the telephone while the contestant and celebrity played the super six for them? Friday's show took me by suprise when the contestant was on the phone with Osmond.
It's been going on all season, as part of a Super Six home viewer sweepstakes.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
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[quote name=\'ChuckNet\' date=\'Nov 16 2003, 07:21 PM\']
Since when did they start having the home viewer on the telephone while the contestant and celebrity played the super six for them? Friday's show took me by suprise when the contestant was on the phone with Osmond.
It's been going on all season, as part of a Super Six home viewer sweepstakes.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby") [/quote]
The Sweepstakes has been going on for most of this season, but the "home player on phone" bit has only aired on this past week's shows so far.
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It's happened more than just last week -- I never got to watch any of the Nascar shows, and saw a home contestant get called.
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Friday was the first time that I heard it happen. I try and watch Pyramid a few times a week.
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Actually, I got called totally out of the blue about 2 weeks ago. They called me on a Monday night to tell me they'd be taping shows Tuesday and wanted to know my availability for the day. I told them, and they called me to put me on the air during one of the tapings on Tuesday. The teams select their categories (aside from the last 2) before taping begins, as they were able to tell me Donny would go to me for the 3rd category in Round 3. They kept me on hold all through Round 3, and sure enough, Donny and I had a little conversation after the third category was selected. The prize was a Sony VAIO Laptop which was not won, so I'll receive a lovely parting gift - the Pyramid home game - after the show airs. No idea when yet though.
-Jay
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The teams select their categories (aside from the last 2) before taping begins
Why on earth do they need to do that?
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[quote name=\'HYHYBT\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 02:17 AM\']
The teams select their categories (aside from the last 2) before taping begins
Why on earth do they need to do that?[/quote]
Haven't you heard? Spontaneity on a game show is no fun.
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They select the categories beforehand because they show the celebrities the answers beforehand and want them to think of good clues since there are only 20 seconds on the clock.
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[quote name=\'goongas\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 11:55 AM\']They select the categories beforehand because they show the celebrities the answers beforehand and want them to think of good clues since there are only 20 seconds on the clock.[/quote]
Which now explains the "celebrities are shown material prior to telecast" disclaimer.
One would hope that the veterans turned down that assistance (on the other hand, if the celeb is considering that his/her main job on the show is helping his/her partner win...)
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[quote name=\'goongas\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 08:55 AM\']They select the categories beforehand because they show the celebrities the answers beforehand and want them to think of good clues since there are only 20 seconds on the clock.[/quote]
That was my thought as well, until I went to a taping. The celebs definitely review WC material, causing two-thirds of the commercial breaks to be extended to 15 minutes in the studio. However, there is no such break before front games, so unless they do a major cram session before their first episode of the day (which is quite unlikely), they have no chance to review the front game material.
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[quote name=\'gameshowsteve\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 12:40 PM\'] However, there is no such break before front games, so unless they do a major cram session before their first episode of the day (which is quite unlikely) [/quote]
Besides, they CAN"T review front-game material because they don't know for what categories they will be giving and what they will be receiving for until this whole selection process takes place.
Oh, and add that whole "celebrities are shown material prior to telecast" thing to why I can't stand the show. (And also why, along with the applause issue, I would demand a virtual asterisk alongside anyone who might break Crystal's record in the WC...)
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[quote name=\'gameshowsteve\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 02:40 PM\'] [quote name=\'goongas\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 08:55 AM\']They select the categories beforehand because they show the celebrities the answers beforehand and want them to think of good clues since there are only 20 seconds on the clock.[/quote]
That was my thought as well, until I went to a taping. The celebs definitely review WC material, causing two-thirds of the commercial breaks to be extended to 15 minutes in the studio. However, there is no such break before front games, so unless they do a major cram session before their first episode of the day (which is quite unlikely), they have no chance to review the front game material. [/quote]
I've never noticed that. That's plain awful.
Brandon Brooks
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If only there had been disclaimers in tiny print on a split screen in the 50's..the scandals would have never happened.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 12:06 PM\']Besides, they CAN"T review front-game material because they don't know for what categories they will be giving and what they will be receiving for until this whole selection process takes place.[/quote]
Theoretically, all of those choices could be made not long after the contestants arrive at the studio at 7:00 a.m., giving the celebrities plenty of time before the first taping starts, but I seriously doubt that anything along those lines actually happens.
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They select the categories beforehand because they show the celebrities the answers beforehand and want them to think of good clues since there are only 20 seconds on the clock.
Are you sure about that? Unless things have changed since I appeared last season, the CONTESTANTS are shown and select the categories for the first two rounds following a coin toss, but we were never told the nature of those categories. As far as I knew, the only thing the celebs were shown in advance was the categories, too.
As far as the WC, there is quite a long gap in taping following the end of the front game where the contestant coordinator drills the player on previously used WC categories and the celebs are off in the green room or wherever being prepped as well. I don't think they're being given the actual game material. I would imagine they're being given previously used categories to make sure they understand the "listing vs. describing" aspect of that round.
Shane Elsberry
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[quote name=\'tidefan12\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 03:50 PM\'] I don't think they're being given the actual game material. [/quote]
They are indeed given the actual material, and usually spend about 10-12 minutes in a corner of the studio coming up with clues, and being able to ask any questions they may have about the legality of said clues.
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[quote name=\'gameshowsteve\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 06:42 PM\'] [quote name=\'tidefan12\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 03:50 PM\'] I don't think they're being given the actual game material. [/quote]
They are indeed given the actual material, and usually spend about 10-12 minutes in a corner of the studio coming up with clues, and being able to ask any questions they may have about the legality of said clues. [/quote]
Wow. I'm speechless. Here I've been defending Pyramid in the other thread, and then along comes this.
This *completely* changes the nature of the game. It's a fast paced, think on your feet, test your vocabulary game.
This essentially turns it into a glorified Hollywood Squares. :(
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[quote name=\'Gromit\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 09:01 PM\'] [quote name=\'gameshowsteve\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 06:42 PM\'] [quote name=\'tidefan12\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 03:50 PM\'] I don't think they're being given the actual game material. [/quote]
They are indeed given the actual material, and usually spend about 10-12 minutes in a corner of the studio coming up with clues, and being able to ask any questions they may have about the legality of said clues. [/quote]
Wow. I'm speechless. Here I've been defending Pyramid in the other thread, and then along comes this.
This *completely* changes the nature of the game. It's a fast paced, think on your feet, test your vocabulary game.
This essentially turns it into a glorified Hollywood Squares. :( [/quote]
I don't care for this practice either. As was stated in an earlier post, it would be nice if returning celebrities at the least do not choose such "briefings".
I suspect a Password revival if it were to come along might also have celebs being briefed on the words to be played.
I suppose Bob Stewart and the old school Pyramid staff will be quite disappointed to hear about this "briefing" if they haven't already.(Celebs on the old Pyramid were often tested before they played on their taping day, but with game material that wouldn't be used on the air that week of shows)
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If you change your perception of "Pyramid" as a test of word knowlege to a celebrity short-term memory game, it may help to enjoy the show more. Sure, Marie Winn was given all the questions and answers on "Dotto," but she had to memorize them, too. That takes some skill. As has been said since the day "Pyramid" debuted, this is not your father's "Pyramid."
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As far as celebrities reviewing front game material - I am almost positive they do NOT. I must say, my only proof is my time spent on hold for the contest, however, as I was patched into the audio system, I could hear celebrities and contestants (clearly) talking during the downtime. One contestant said to the celebrity, I selected "x" category, and it might have something to do with this or that. To which the celebrity also offered his thoughts and developed some possible clues to some possible answers. All their guesses were wrong. I doubt the celebrity would've entered into a pointless hypothetical if they knew the contestant was dead wrong.
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[quote name=\'JTFriends1\' date=\'Nov 17 2003, 10:54 PM\'] As far as celebrities reviewing front game material - I am almost positive they do NOT. I must say, my only proof is my time spent on hold for the contest, however, as I was patched into the audio system, I could hear celebrities and contestants (clearly) talking during the downtime. One contestant said to the celebrity, I selected "x" category, and it might have something to do with this or that. To which the celebrity also offered his thoughts and developed some possible clues to some possible answers. All their guesses were wrong. I doubt the celebrity would've entered into a pointless hypothetical if they knew the contestant was dead wrong. [/quote]
A friend of mine was a contestant last season and I can tell you for a fact that the celebrities are indeed briefed before hand.
I know that Stephen Brown, the show's Executive Producer is a member here. Maybe he can verify this.
Tim :-)
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celebrities are shown material prior to telecast
This is maddening!! How is this an acceptable practice for a game like "Pyramid"!?!
"Pyramid" could be such a good show. They got a lot right, but ALL the important things are so wrong. I'd rather watch the same tired reruns on GSN and see the game played the right way than sit and watch players act instead of play.
Sony's ruined the greatest game show ever conceived. :-\
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com
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[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' date=\'Nov 18 2003, 10:06 AM\']
celebrities are shown material prior to telecast
This is maddening!! How is this an acceptable practice for a game like "Pyramid"!?!
"Pyramid" could be such a good show. They got a lot right, but ALL the important things are so wrong. I'd rather watch the same tired reruns on GSN and see the game played the right way than sit and watch players act instead of play.
Sony's ruined the greatest game show ever conceived. :-\
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com [/quote]
Yet with all the briefing, we still see more than our share of one and two out of six maingame rounds. And, people still give illegal clues often enough in the maingame. The briefing probably does account for us seeing five or so WC wins in a week of shows instead of the two or so the 70s and 80s runs might have averaged.
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[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' date=\'Nov 18 2003, 11:06 AM\']
celebrities are shown material prior to telecast
This is maddening!! How is this an acceptable practice for a game like "Pyramid"!?! [/quote]
The perception appears to be that this is no different than the advance prep that celebrities are given on Hollywood Squares, though even on that show the stars aren't actually given the correct answers.
In general, the current Pyramid appears to be trying to position itself as a light celebrity game along the lines of Squares, rather than as the challenging word game PLAYED by celebrities that we remember. That would be an explanation for their "theme" weeks (such as the recent NASCAR) that seem to have little regard for whether the celebrities they book can actually play the game. That's not a problem for Squares -- heck, even Paris Hilton can be a celebrity on Squares -- but it is a problem for Pyramid if the game is important to you.
I will sumbit to you that the current custodians of the franchise consider the celebrity interaction, the humorous material, the appeal of the host, and the occasional big-wad-of-money giveaway to be more important than the game. In the same way that tic-tac-toe is just the means to a greater end on Squares, I'm thinking Pyramid people see the word game as merely the fuel that powers the larger engine. Bob Stewart didn't think so, we don't think so, but it's not Bob's (or our) franchise anymore, and hey, ratings are up, so who's to say they're wrong exactly?
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Nov 18 2003, 08:50 AM\'] That's not a problem for Squares -- heck, even Paris Hilton can be a celebrity on Squares
[/quote]
"Paris Hilton for the block, please, Tom."
"Paris Hilton! She can be seen on a computer near you....um, ah, not that I have....erm..."
but it's not Bob's (or our) franchise anymore, and hey, ratings are up, so who's to say they're wrong exactly?
Proof positive once again that the average American television viewer is a freakin' moron.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Nov 18 2003, 09:50 AM\'] [H]eck, even Paris Hilton can be a celebrity on Squares [/quote]
She's already associated with the letter X now, so adding O is only natural.
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but it's not Bob's (or our) franchise anymore, and hey, ratings are up, so who's to say they're wrong exactly?
To be honest with you, I think Pyramid would be doing just fine if they were following the blueprint that Stewart layed out for the game. There have been enough minor changes to the show (set, host, theme, 6 in 20 rule, theme weeks) that modernize it.
I will sumbit to you that the current custodians of the franchise consider the celebrity interaction, the humorous material, the appeal of the host, and the occasional big-wad-of-money giveaway to be more important than the game.
Matt...I agree with you that this is PROBABLY what producers today care more about, but I don't really think you can attribute the higher ratings (which really aren't that much higher, are they?) to changes that have been made just for the sake of making a change.
I don't think the D list celebs are what people tune in for either. Donny might be part of it, but not the celebs. I can't imagine asking a casual viewer why they like "Pyramid" and hearing, "well, those categories are just so funny" or "I love the Pine Sol lady...she's wacky".
My simple recipe for fixing Pyramid is:
*don't let celebs see the material before the show
*get the judging fixed (at the very least make it consistent)
*dump the wild camera shots
*biased opinion follows* :-D
I simply cannot see how any reasonable person could hold "Pyramid" up against any previous attempt and say that these bonehead changes improve the show in any way.
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com
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[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' date=\'Nov 18 2003, 02:27 PM\'] My simple recipe for fixing Pyramid is:
*get the judging fixed (at the very least make it consistent) [/quote]
Insert your favorite ghost-of-Dan-Enright joke here.
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Since the celebs are already being briefed, what would be the harm in the writers actually providing clues to the celebs which they could read off their laptop during the main game? The contestants would compete to recognize the answers in the shortest amount of time. It would sorta be like "Jackpot!" with a time limit. This would cut down on the pre-briefing time and there would never be a bad clue given by the celebs.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Nov 18 2003, 08:49 PM\'] Since the celebs are already being briefed, what would be the harm in the writers actually providing clues to the celebs which they could read off their laptop during the main game? The contestants would compete to recognize the answers in the shortest amount of time. It would sorta be like "Jackpot!" with a time limit. This would cut down on the pre-briefing time and there would never be a bad clue given by the celebs. [/quote]
This isn't a bad idea. As long as they're bastardizing a classic game show format, they might as well go full-out.
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For what it's worth, speaking of Enright earlier, he once mentioned he found it frustrating doing games with celebrities because most of them were dumber than bricks when it came to anything beyond the realm of show business. He did mention two he admired - Nipsey Russell, and one he stated was the only one he often found reading a book instead of Variety or The Hollywood Reporter between tapings, Orson Bean. Remember Celebrity Bullseye? It was so painful listening to all the celebs getting multiple choice questions. There are smart celebrities out there...they probably don't have the sexiness to attract viewers.
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I guess I'm just weird, but I don't watch the show for the celebrities. I could care less who they have on the show that day. In fact, I'd watch if it was four contestants, and no celebs at all.
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[quote name=\'The Ol' Guy\' date=\'Nov 18 2003, 11:20 PM\'] Remember Celebrity Bullseye? It was so painful listening to all the celebs getting multiple choice questions. There are smart celebrities out there...they probably don't have the sexiness to attract viewers. [/quote]
Multiple choice questions were used when TTD had celeb weeks too, not to mention when they had divorced couples week. I'm wondering when Celeb J! might go to all multiple choice questions :)
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[quote name=\'Gromit\' date=\'Nov 19 2003, 12:20 AM\'] I guess I'm just weird, but I don't watch the show for the celebrities. [/quote]
When it's a GOOD game show, I don't care who's on, so long as they can play the game.
In Pyramid's case, I lifted my self-imposed boycott for a day to watch Penn Jillette, 'cuz I'm a big Penn & Teller fan. So there are instances when a celebrity who interests me will cause me to watch a game show I wouldn't normally.
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[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Nov 19 2003, 07:06 AM\'] I'm wondering when Celeb J! might go to all multiple choice questions :) [/quote]
I hope no one in a position to do anything read your post or Jimmy Owen's.
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[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Nov 19 2003, 12:00 PM\'] [quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Nov 19 2003, 07:06 AM\'] I'm wondering when Celeb J! might go to all multiple choice questions :) [/quote]
I hope no one in a position to do anything read your post or Jimmy Owen's. [/quote]
James and I probably gave them ideas. They might well take a cue from Pyramid and allow the celebs to know the categories used before the gameplay begins.
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[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Nov 19 2003, 12:00 PM\']
I hope no one in a position to do anything read your post or Jimmy Owen's. [/quote]
Well, if they do, and they implement the proposed change, I'm gonna lobby for a executive producer credit :)
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All this talk about the briefing of the celebs as to the material in the winner's circle begs an obvious question: What do they do when the contestant chooses to give the clues?
I might add that we're about two months into the season and I haven't seen one contestant give the clues yet.
Brendan
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When the contestants elect to give the clues (which will happen at least twice this season), there are no pre-WC briefings, and they go straight there and do it. So, the choice the contestant has is receiving clues from a briefed celeb, or giving them to a clueless star.
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[quote name=\'gameshowsteve\' date=\'Nov 19 2003, 01:13 PM\'] When the contestants elect to give the clues (which will happen at least twice this season), there are no pre-WC briefings, and they go straight there and do it. So, the choice the contestant has is receiving clues from a briefed celeb, or giving them to a clueless star. [/quote]
Thanks for the tip. (And no, I don't think a spoiler was necessary since you gave no indication of when.) I was afraid no one would choose it and they'd take the option away.
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Four contestants have given in the Winner's Circle this season. The shows have not aired yet.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Nov 18 2003, 10:49 PM\']Since the celebs are already being briefed, what would be the harm in the writers actually providing clues to the celebs which they could read off their laptop during the main game? The contestants would compete to recognize the answers in the shortest amount of time. It would sorta be like "Jackpot!" with a time limit. This would cut down on the pre-briefing time and there would never be a bad clue given by the celebs.[/quote]
"Hello, everybody, and welcome to Pyramid! Before the show, it was determined that Celebrity A had much better clues for his categories than did Celebrity B. However, Celebrity A was completely unfamiliar with one of the Winner's Circle categories during the pre-game screening. So, Jane, we'd like to congratulate you on winning $1400. We'll see you next time, right here on Pyramid!"
(29 minutes of commercials follow)
. . .
Jeeeezus. This almost makes me disgusted to have enjoyed some of the Pyramids I watched last season.
[quote name=\'gameshowsteve\']When the contestants elect to give the clues (which will happen at least twice this season), there are no pre-WC briefings, and they go straight there and do it. So, the choice the contestant has is receiving clues from a briefed celeb, or giving them to a clueless star.[/quote]
And I hadn't even read this yet when I started my reply.
We have so many arguments about whether or not reality shows are game shows--any chance we could get a ruling on whether or not unreality shows are game shows?